Pipe hanger



Jan. 25; 1944. A. ELHOHMEISTER PIPE HANGER Filed March 10, 1942' ooooomwoo INVENTOR ,4 A Tmna Patented Jan. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE HANGER Arthur E. Hohmeister, Cheviot, Ohio Application March 10, 1942, Serial No. 434,096

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a pipe hanger, such as may be employed incident to the installation of plumbing fixtures and equipment. Its purpose under ordinary circumstances, is to suspend pipes from the joists or other structural elements of a building.

An object of the invention is to provide a pipe hanger which is capable of tightly embracing a pipe and securing it rigidly in place, the hanger being peculiarly constructed so as to prevent looseness between the pipe and the hanger 'subsequently to installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe hanger which may be inexpensively manufactured by means of a single press operation, and sold at a reasonable price.

" A further object is to provide a hanger of the class described, which may be installed quickly and with a minimum of time and effort.

Another object is to provide a pipe hanger about which a ceiling structure and plaster. may be applied in a workmanlike manner, and which may be twisted axially of its length in order to support pipes running transversely of the joists or other supporting structure.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a hanger embodying the invention, and showing it in supporting relationship to a pipe.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hanger in fiat form, as produced in the press and supplied to the trade.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification thereof.

, In that form of the invention illustrated by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the hanger comprises a fiat body portion 4, from one end of which extend a shank 5, and from the other end of which extends a tongue 6 which is considerably shorter than the shank. The strip of metal from which the entire hanger is fabricated, will preferably be of uniform thickness throughout, the gauge of the metal being such thatthe body portion 4 may be wound about a pipe I in the manner illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2. The metal is to be malleable or bendable, but should not possess any substantial degree of resiliency, since it is necessary that the hanger retain its shape and its embracing relationship to a pipe, when in stalled. Successful results have been secured by fabricating the hanger from 22 gauge sheet iron,

preferably though not necessarily, galvanized. Sheet cooper has also been successfully employed, in slightly heavier gauge metal. v

The shank 5 of the hanger preferably is furnished with a series of apertures 8 arranged in a row lengthwise of the shank for the reception of nails or other fasteners by which the hanger may be suspended from a joist or other structural element of a building. In the preferred form of the invention, the shank at its opposite longitudinal edges is flanked by a rib 9 pressed into the material of the shank for imparting a degree of stiffness thereto resisting bending from the free end H) to the shoulders at 12, where the shank meet the flat body portion 4. The apertures 8 may be located midway between the longitudinal ribs 9.

At unequally spaced locations along the body portion 4, the body portion is furnished with transverse slits l3, ll, I5 and I 6. The various slits are of a length slightly greater than the Width of tongue 6, and the width of each slit rather closely approximates the thickness of the metal constituting the tongue. Under no circumstances should the transverse slits greatly exceed in width the thickness of the tongue. By way of explanation, it may be stated that the width of the slits should be no greater than twice the thickness of the tongue if the best results are to be achieved. The tongue and the slits are to be located midway between the longitudtilnal sides edges l1 and [8 of the body portion y In applying the hanger to a pipe such as l, the body portion is first looped about the pipe and the tongue 6 is inserted through the proper slit, the selection of which slit depends upon the diameter of the pipe. The tongue 6 is then bent over in the direction of the pipe, while the shoulders l9 and 29 substantially abut the body at 0pposite ends of the slit, and as the final operation, a pair of pliers or other squeezing tool is applied for tightly squeezing the tongue against the body portion while at the same time contracting the loop portion of the body tightly about the pipe. The character of the metal from which the hanger is fabricated, is such that the tbngue will re tain its position against the body portion, as indicated at 2| of Fig. 2, without the use of clamps, bolts or other retaining devices. After the hanger body has been thusly contracted about the pipe, its side edges Hand 18 may be soldered to the pipe, if desired. To complete the suspending function of the hanger, it is necessary only to drive a nail or other fastener through one or more of the apertures 8, and into the joists or other supporting structure. It is important to note that the tongue 6, where bent upon itself at the location 22 of Fig. 2, furnishes an abutting surface to engage the upper edge 23 of the transverse slit that accommodates the tongue, with the result that it is impossible for the tongue to move upwardly and out of engagement with the walls of the slit. For example, should the assembly of Fig. 2 be subjected to an upward force applied at the location X, it would not be possible for the tongue to become disassociated from the slit by reason of any upward shifting of the tongue through and out of the slit. In other words, force which would tend normally to unhook the looped end of a pipe hanger, will have no displacing effect upon the hanger of this invention. Moreover, since the free end; 24 of tongue 6 substantially abuts the loop portion of the body in the operative condition of the hanger, the entire structure from the location 23 downwardly to the nearest surface of the pipe, is effectively reinforced against enlargement of the loop.- in; the presence of force accidentally directed to. the pipe and tending to alter the shape of theloop and the clamping relationship of the tongue thereto. The free end 24 of the tongue, by acting as a stop against the loop portion of the hanger body, will resist any tendency of the tongue to swing laterally outwardly in the event of a force acting downwardly upon the pipe and tending to. enlarge the supporting loop portion of h ha r The spacing of the transverse slits from one another will; be seen to be not uniform, the space decreasing as the slits approach the tongue end of the hanger body. The distance of slit 16 from the shoulders l9-.20, is a distance greater than the perimeter of a small pipe to be suspended, the distance being greater by an amount sufficient. to permit contraction of the intermediate body portion about the pipe in the manner illustrated by Fig. 2, wherein it will be observed that the free end 26 of the tongue rests very close to, or substantially against, the adjacent loop. portion of the body. The distance from slit L to the shoulders l9-.20, is calculated so as to be greater in length than the perimeter of the next. larger size of pipe, by an amount necessary to. result in the parallel arrangement of parts at 2l.-.25 of Fig. 2, with the free end of the tongue disposed against the loop portion of the body at 26. In like manner, the slits l4 and I3 are spaced from the shoulders I 920, using the same factors in calculating the distance necessary for the accommodation of still larger sizes of pipe. As will be understood, the bend of the tongue at the location 22 (Fig. 2), will afford an abutting surface for the adjacent wall of the slit to preclud unhooking of the tongue, while at the same time the abutting relationship at 24-46 assists in restraining displacement of the tongue laterally outwardly, under the influence of forces applied to the pipe suspended b the hanger.

In the modified form of the device illustrated by Fig. 4, the body portion from the shoulders I I2 to the shoulders Ila-.420, is pressed to a shallow trough formation, with the surface l2! concave, so that in forming the loop portion of the body about the pipe, sharp edges such as that il'ldl! cated at I22 will be placed in engagement with the outer surface of the pipe for preventing longitudinal slippage of the pipe through the loop. The loop portion that surrounds the. pipe will therefore be bulbous in nature, as illustrated by Fig. 4, to present a pleasing appearance and" at the same time avoid any need for the application of solder to the side edges of the loop. The concave character of the body portion does not interfere with the formation of the loop and the application of pliers or other squeezing implement to the tongue and the adjacent areas of the body portion, in effecting a contraction of the loop about the pipe. In the modifed form of the, invention, as well as in the, first form described, the free end of the tongue should substantially contact the adjacent area of the loop, for the purpose previously explained. The shank N5 of the Fig. 4 hanger may be ribbed as shown at 9,-9 of Fig. 3, if desired, although in the modification illustrated said shank has a concave form or lateral curvature agreeing with the shape of the body portion I 2I It may be noted that Fig. 4 shows the rear side of the hanger, or that side which cannot be seen in Fig. 1, in order to illusrat th s de edges H and H8 sligh ly turn to ar h observer d o the trough fo mation of the hanger body.

It h u d be. n d t t i bot form o he device, the tongue when bent over as illustrated will embrace an intermediate area. of the body portion, and will be free of any contact with the shank portion of the, device. Other-wise stated, the slits that accommodate the tongue are formed in the body portion, and not in the shank portion of the hanger.

The hangers herein disclosed possess several advantages over previously known forms of hangers. For example, they are capable of rapid and inexpensive production, and may be packed and shipped in flat formation with a saving of cost in handling and shipping. Of interest, to the installer and the. ultimate purchaser, is the advantage that the improved hangersv ma be installed quickly with a minimum of time and effort, and moreover, it. is easy to perform a quick a neatv job. of. plaste n about them whena ceiling is to be constructed in the vicinity of the plumbing installation. The hangers are easily twisted lengthwise when pipes are to be supported transversely of joists or rafters.

n e m st. known fo ms hang s wh c suspend pipes loosely, allowing sway dis. placement of the pipes the hangers of the present invention embrace the pipes tightly and prevent movement thereof r lative to the. hangers. No bolts, pins, clamps, or other separate parts are required in efiecting a tight and secure, connece tion, as thev entire hanger is. of one, piece complete n. i se T s eez g i n of pl rs or n other suitable tool, is all that is required in order to complete in an instant the desired solid and permanent connection to the pipe. Any nun e ber of pipe sizes may be accommodated by simply providing the body of the hanger with the desired number of transverse slits, properly spaced in ac or a c with. h a hin er n- E treme simpl c -o st uct e. and. o we cha a terize the device. o e n nt n.

hat is ai ed s:

A er dap e t nt mat ly hue nd. la a pipe in fu l en i c n at nship. com.- prising an elongated shank portion for attach.- ment to a support, and an elongated body POI. tion bendable to circle formation fiatwise, about a, pipe in full circumferential contact therewith, said body portion being integral with the shank portion and provided with a slit formed transe vers ly of the. medial line of; the body portion between the edgesthereof, a tongue of reduced Width on said free end of the body portion, approximating in width the length of the transverse slit, the width of the slit being not substantially greater than the thicknes of the tongue, a shoulder on the body portion adjacent the tongue, for limiting insertion of the tongue into the slit when the body portion is bent to circular formation about a pipe, the length of the tongue and the location of the transverse 'slit being so related to the diameter of the pipe, that the free end of the tongue when bent fiatwise against the body portion, rests in close proximity to the pipe.

2. A hanger adapted to intimately hug and clamp a pipe in full encircling relationship, comprising an elongated shank portion for attachment to a support, and an elongated body portion bendable to circle formation flatwise about a pipe in full circumferential contact therewith, said body portion being integral with the shank por-- tion and provided with a slit formed transversely of the medial line of the body portion between the edges thereof, a tongue of reduced width on said free end of the body portion, approximating in width the length of the transverse slit, the width of the slit being not substantially greater than the thickness of the tongue, whereby upon bending and flattening the tongue and an adjacent portion of the body portion into fiatwise contact against opposite faces of the body portion, exteriorly of the circular formation, the circular formation is reinforced by the tongue against any tendency to enlarge and thus release its grip upon the pipe therein embraced, the constricted width of the slit serving to provide an abutment for the bend of the tongue precluding displacement of the tongue Within the slit.

3. A hanger adapted to intimately hug and clamp a pipe in full encircling relationship, comprising an elongated shank portion for attachment to a support, and an elongated body portion bendable to circle formation flatwise about a pipe in5 full circumferential contact therewith, said body portion being integral with the shank portion and provided with a slit formed transversely of, the medial line of the body portion between the edges thereof, a tongue of reduced width on saidfree end of the body portion, approximating in width the length of the transverse slit, the width of the slit being not substantially greater than the thickness of the tongue, whereby upon bending and flattening the tongue and an adjacent portion of the body portion into flatwise contact against opposite faces of the body portion, exteriorly of the circular formation, the circular formation is reinforced by the tongue against any tendency to enlarge and thus release its grip upon the pipe therein embraced, the constricted width of the slit serving to provide an abutment for the bend of the tongue precluding displacement of the tongue wit in the slit, and the length of the tongue bearing such relationship to the diameter of the pipe and the location of said slit, that the free end of the tongue rests in close proximity to the pipe when the full length of the tongue is bent fiatwise against the body portion.

ARTHUR E. HOHMEISTER. 

